Location-based considerations like access to local amenities and school districts are essential when seeking the home of your dreams. The location of your chosen property can also have a huge impact on things like the lifespan of that property, or even the amount of work you might need to do to your new home once you move in.
These practical considerations are essential, so let’s look at the main ones to consider throughout this article.
1) Look at Local Building Regulations
As outlined at illustrarch.com, there are both federal and state building regulations, meaning that property standards can vary a great deal between locations.
For instance, properties built in areas like California must adhere to stringent seismic standards for earthquake resistance. As a result, a property here is more liable to last your lifetime. Alternatively, buildings in a populated area like New York are often built with high lot coverage to address overcrowding, which might not be suitable for older residents.
Considering building regs before a move can ensure that a home is well suited to your needs, and is as likely as possible to last your lifetime and well beyond.
2) Think About Local Materials
The National Association of Homebuilders has discovered variations in the building materials used across states. Materials like vinyl stucco, which is durable but potentially prone to issues such as mold, are more likely to be present in Pacific states like California, Oregon, and Washington.
Meanwhile, the high production of materials like cement and concrete in Idaho can mean that these durable materials are commonly used in properties here, as opposed to the wood materials commonly engineered in areas like Oregon.
These variations can make a huge difference to things like the lifespan of a property, and the scale of potential issues you might face once you’ve moved in. Ideally, seek strong, durable materials well suited to the climate of your new location of choice.
3) Pay Attention to Soil Quality
The majority of keen gardeners will consider soil quality before a move, and we could all benefit from following their lead. Soil quality, which should also factor in things like soil erosion and soil movability, can greatly impact building structures.
In particular, experts state that soil erosion in Midwestern States like Iowa is almost double the rate considered sustainable by the USDA. This erosion could be problematic for properties that are at risk from landslides or collapse as a result. Equally, South Central regions like Texas are famed for fluctuating clay soils which can cause foundation problems that require experts like those at rsfoundations.com to handle before they escalate.
Meanwhile, states like Illinois contain loam soil, widely considered effective for long-lasting property foundations thanks to its natural water management and stability properties.
You naturally want to choose the most comfortable, well-situated location for your next big home move. But, if you want your property to last, you could also benefit from sparing a thought for these more practical considerations along the way.
